AUSTIN &045; The Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center are attempting to raise $750,000 for a land-expansion project, hoping to expand the nature center at the east edge of Austin by acquiring 210 acres &045; more than the size of the original Nature Center.

It’s all about preserving the legacy of a man who, historians say, was himself a pioneer at preserving natural resources.

The addition will provide habitat for wildlife and increase environmental education opportunities.

Supporters also expect the addition and accompanying landscape changes to reduce the flood impact and provide more green space for a growing community.

Since the fund-raising project was announced two months ago, there has been progress, according to Dick Dixon, one of the members of the committee undertaking the &uot;Preserving A Legacy&uot; fund drive.

The Nature Center has expanded from its original 123 acres on two other occasions, adding 55 acres in 1978 and 101 acres in 1984.

The latest expansion effort is the most ambitious yet.

“The purpose of the fund-raiser is to expand the nature center by adding two parcels in the expansion,” he said. “One is a 62-acre site adjacent to and directly north of the nature center and a second parcel of 148 acres north of the tower loop trail.”

The goal of the fund-raiser is to raise $750,000, which, Dixon said, includes $250,000 for restoration costs. “The restoration includes planting prairie grasses, wildflowers and trees and also expanding the hiking and cross country skiing trails,” he said.

In 1927, the son of the founder of the Geo. A. Hormel & Company (now Hormel Foods Corporation) planted the first of more than 200,000 trees that would be planted over a period of 25 years.

In 1971, the city of Austin acquired 123 acres of land around the Jay C. Hormel estate and a committee began planning for the development of the Nature Center and soon afterwards the natural treasure is opened to the public.

There have been other milestones through the years at the Nature Center, but the Preserving A Legacy fund-raiser is the largest single project of its kind.

According to Dixon, the committee has raised $80,000 to date. Dixon also said, contributors can designate their money to a specific part of the fund-raiser.

Among the examples are: Adopt An Acre, $2,500; Restore An Acre, $1,000; and Protect An Acre, $500.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

For more information, contact the Preserving A Legacy co-chair Dave Cole and John Beckel through the Nature Center at (507) 437-7519.